The seashore was slightly windy. Pounding and splashing waves off rocks churned up a cool-mist while a clear azure sky beamed with sunlight overhead. The sand was clean, soft, and combed.

All of it made for an idyllic day at the beach.

A young girl wearing shorts and a t-shirt shouted, “Come on, Lyla! Bring it back to me!”

Lyla bit on the Frisbee and returned it.

“Good girl!”

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Lyla ran around the girl in circles, then started digging a hole.

The girl laughed while kneeling to help Lyla dig the hole with the Frisbee.

————

Behind an observation window, a woman and man watched the same girl on a ventilator lying next to her dog with both of their legs twitching—and wearing neural headsets.

“I’d like to thank Virtual Wish Foundation with a large donation,” said the woman.

“That’s much appreciated, Ms. Smith.”

“What do you call it, again, LE … ?”

“L.E.S., ma’am, which stands for Life Experience Simulation. It directly communicates to The Chips in Julie’s and Lyla’s brain for a shared virtual reality.”

“Truly a miracle of technology.”

“When the time’s appropriate, Ms. Smith, I know a colleague who is looking to adopt a dog.”

Ms. Smith nodded as she wiped tears from her eyes.